Final Training Run for 30K Race

So for my final training run before I take it easy and rest up for the race in 1 week, I chose to check out Herman Gulch.  It goes along the Continental Divide trail.  I knew it was 7 miles up to the lake and back.  I had hoped to go a little higher but I had not known there was over 2,300' of climbing to get to the lake.  Anyway it was a great hike an a great run, Truthfully I only ran about a mile on the way up.    I cant wait until the day when I can run the whole thing.  Trail: Difficult - Time: 2:30mins.

Follow the white rabbit

"Your spiritual awareness is about to deepen and so too will your awareness of the true extent of your capabilities.  Much of that which you experience over the coming months will have a magical effect on your life and the magic will also be felt by many around you.  Butterflies are a powerful symbol for you at present; symbolic of the transformation that awaits you.  From now on, take heart every time a butterfly flutters into your field of vision, for it confirms that you are on the right path."  

I received this message in my inbox from a friend I have recently been feeling pretty close to.  I received it after I saw her post the above photo and I commented about how I saw a butterfly this weekend and it was the strangest story:

I was running a trail.  It was a 13 mile run and had 2 very tough uphills involved.  3 miles of downhill followed by 2 miles of 10% grade uphill where I slowed to a fast walk.  I power hiked the hill and got to the top in much better time than my previous attempt 6 weeks earlier.  When I got to the top I slowed only to ingest some gel and take in the view and I was off downhill.  The running was hard, I was struggling to get a good breathing pace due to the rocks.  Soon it flattened out and my pace and breathing equalized.  The running was amazing, it consisted of single track trail through small rolling hills.  The sun had just come up and it was cool.  The sun began to touch my face and I smiled.  Just then I realized I had a visitor.  A small orange and black butterfly began fluttering in front of me.  At first I just kept my smile.  It was kind of funny because she looked fake.  Like she was animated.  Her wings were flapping so fast, what I thought of at the time was the white rabbit from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  "I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Late..."  That's when I realized,  I am running pretty fast.  My ears muted, as the music died out.  All I could hear was my breathing and it was calm and controlled.  My heart rate slowed and matched up well with my breaths.  Something was happening.  I was becoming me.  Something clicked and I felt like I was finally becoming a trail runner.   My winged friend was still beating away in front of me leading me towards my dreams.  Finally after 10 or more minutes she decided she could take no more and flew off and landed for a rest.  But She had shown me the way.  I completed the run 45 minutes faster than my previous attempt and I knew what I had to do and where I had to go.  But I didn't realize it until my friend sent me this message.  

Tonight some pals were over watching a game and we were talking about young people getting married and how crazy it is to get married at 20 or 21.  But in my head I was thinking I wish I had had that.  It makes you work toward something at one point you thought was good and worth it.  This is a choice many people make but it clearly wasn't the choice for me.  :)  I didn't get married.  I had chances but for some reason never did.  I made my choice.  Anyway my friend then said "a guy once said to me you don't even know who you are until you're 30".  And I thought about it and its true.  I'm not saying people cant be happy choosing their life mate at a young age.  I admire it, I know it can work.  But I cant go back.  I cant change the past and the future is an illusion.  All we can know is now.  I know I can put one foot in front of the other and keep moving even if I don't know where I will be when that step hits the ground.  My friend was right!  He didn't even know how true this rang for me specifically today.  I am finally figuring out who I am, what I'm here for, and what I need from a soul mate.  All of this in the course of a day.  Its been a big day.  

2 weeks until the race and I finally feel I am ready.  It will be a challenge, 18.6 miles will be my longest run yet.  But it wasn't until now that I knew I would finish it.  It wasn't until now that I realize this race was only the first step in my journey on the way to the top.         

How can you help?

I was in CO springs this week.  I was sitting in the parking lot eating the lunch I had packed with my hands because I had forgotten a fork, basically a cold stir fry but it was delicious.  While sitting there a car pulled up next to me with a HUGE woman in it.  And I became grossed out as she opened up her McDonalds bag and started plowing through cheeseburgers like it was her job.  I could just make out her face and it was clear she was unhappy.  I could just make out the sorrow in her eyes, the sadness that makes her think, Ill lose the weight next week.  Ill get a better job after I....  I don't know what she did for a living but she wasn't happy.  Then after she starts sucking down a cigarette.  I cant judge on either of these accounts these things happen.  They do!  I Have struggled a little with weight and a lot with cigs.  I know what its like to make excuses about why you haven't stopped or when will be a better time.  After this big meeting, Ill start my diet Monday.  Enough!  Health is the most important thing on earth.  I firmly believe a Exercised and well fed body is the key to happiness.  And after all, the body does fuel the mind.  Back to the woman...  A great sorrow came over me.   I felt so bad.  I want to help...  Cant we all help someone?  I think the problem is the people who need the most help wont take it.  We have all had help.  of some sort.  There are people in my life I owe the world.  I feel like I could make a real difference in that woman's life.   Lets all lend a hand and Help.  This week I will focuss on PEOPLE.

3 More Weeks!  3 weeks until my race.  I am not really prepared but so Be it.  This past weekend I did a 5 mile run and a long MT Biking ride, first ever, followed by an intense lifting session today.  Mistook the 35# plates for the 25# ers.  This weekend I am shooting for a long run and then The following is a 10K.

4 More weeks

Well This weekend was my first real race..  I met my goal (Barely) and then hiked another 9 miles today the day after.  A little sore today My training is going to change slightly more emphasis on calves and endurance.  Im getting excited about my trip to PA for the race and lots of other reasons.  Cant Wait!!!